I want to make several throw blankets this winter, but I don't want to use wool or any wool blends. I'm especially interested in knitting some cabled throws.

I generally dislike acrylic yarn but I'm thinking about using it for some of the blankets. I'm would also consider using cottons or plant-fiber yarns.

Anyway, I generally just want yarn that is soft, not squeaky and that washes really well without pilling. If you know any acrylic or plant fiber yarns that fit that description, I'd appreciate your feedback!

I really LOVE the Mirasol T'ika yarn, it's pima cotton and soft and feels really nice. It also doen't hurt my hands to work with like most cottons do. That being said... it's kinda pricey and you only get 91 yards of DK weight yarn per skein, so probably not ideal for an afghan.

Thanks for the recommendation! I have only knit with cotton one time (a scarf) and I didn't like the way it didn't stretch as I was knitting, but the scarf looked pretty nice. Does the Mirasol T'ika cotton stretch at all, or is the non-stretchiness a cotton thing?

I actually really like knitting with wool and with wool blends, but I'm thinking about not using any "animal" yarns, so I thought I would reconsider acrylics/cotton.

I have an afghan that is washed regularly (because my cats shed all over it) and was made with Red Heart yarn about 20 years ago. It has not pilled at all. I have another scrap-yarn afghan made with all sorts of acryllics that I had in my stash - it has also worn well. From experience, I would recommend using Red Heart Soft or Caron Simply soft yarns for their durability and washability - plus, they're affordable when you're talking about the amount of yarn that goes into an afghan.

I recently bought the Comfort Knitting and Crochet Afghans book, which uses Berroco Comfort yarn for all of them. I'm making a sweater with it, and I love how it feels. But I don't know if it pills or how well it holds up.

also, I've been using some stash I inherited from my Mom, most if it is Red Heart. while it is nasty to knit with, it softens nicely when washed. I'm doing small projects like baby hats so the knitting w/it isn't dragged out long like an afghan would be. Not sure I could stand it for a whole afghan.

__________________
Marilyn

******
Mirl56 at Ravelry, too.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You canít live long enough to make them all yourself. Eleanor Roosevelt

I recommend Bernat Berella 4 which you can find at joann.com and also read comments from users. It is nice for an acrylic yarn and I would definitely use it again. Just made a lavender afghan for a friend. I am making a log cabin blanket for myself in Caron Simply Soft which will be pretty but doubt I would use the yarn again. Also made one with Red Heart I haven't washed yet and hopefully it will soften up because it is rough. Encore Worsted would be a good one to use although more expensive - it is 75% acrylic, 25% wool, and machine washable (about 5.50 for a 100g skein.) As opposed to 2.49 for Berella 4.

One more idea. If you want to do an acrylic/cotton mix. I suggest Tatamy Worsted by Kraemer Yarns. I have used the dk version and it is really nice, wears and washes well. I think it is about 6.00 for 100g.

Red Heart Super Saver may be rough to work with but after a few washings it's soft.

If you mind working with rough I'd say Simply Soft. If the store you go to has the Eco you can even recycle some plastic bottles while you're not using animal fibers.
I forget the exact amount of bottles in a skein but one of my waterbed afghans would sure put a dent in the landfills.

__________________
Petroleum based knitter, removing that nasty oil from the ground one skein at a time.